Seasoned music business veteran and tech executive Harvey Lee releases Backstage Pass, his first foray into book writing, hit the No.1 top spot on the Amazon Hot List, and it’s not even out until the 14th February.
Described as “funny, crazy and informative…. not necessarily in that order”, it is part autobiography, part tales from the music and tech world and part business motivational book, a Backstage Pass, we are promised, is told in a witty, fast-moving, seat-of-the-pants manner.
Who would have believed that catching AC/DC performing ‘Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’ on Top Of The Pops back in 1980 would trigger a series of seemingly unconnected events that would take Harvey Lee on the ride of his life, culminating in reaching the upper echelons of the corporate ladder?
How did a lad from Manchester, who left school at 15 with a poor school report and few qualifications, with a bleak future and little else other than a passion for rock music, end up as a business leader at such illustrious companies as Virgin and Microsoft?
Backstage Pass tells the story of Harvey Lee`s journey from bassist in a fledgling hair metal band financed by working in a series of seemingly dead-end jobs to a chance opportunity to become a roadie for ’60s veterans Herman’s Hermits, including a tour of the States where he earned his spurs as a merchandise seller, sound engineer, tour manager and even for a brief moment, the bassist in Herman`s Hermits themselves! The multitude of opportunities to develop essential life skills that set him up for a successful career were earned here through hard work, willingness to adapt, help others and think outside of the box.
Faced with a series of apparent career-stopping obstacles and disappointments throughout his journey, Harvey Lee was able to turn these into opportunities and gain valuable skills along the way, including a stay in Sunderland to manage a local band that later yielded the current lead frontman of The Stranglers, while inadvertently getting The Stereophonics a recording contract. This could be the subject of a whole book in itself.
Meeting prominent music business personalities such as Trevor Horn, Mickie Most and Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke, not to mention a side hustle running an AC/DC fan site that led to a chance opportunity to solve a rather significant problem for the band themselves, all make for a thrilling, engaging read with the reader literally rooting for him along his journey which ultimately arrives as a senior executive in the tech sector with stop-offs along the way at Virgin and Xbox.
His creative way of solving problems could be an inspiration to all who face similar obstacles and proves that life is not preordained, even where it may get off to a slow, uninspiring start.
By reading Backstage Pass, you may not only experience a rollercoaster ride of searing highs and crushing lows as Lee navigates his way through his life, but you read tales of hope and opportunity that could inspire and motivate you through your own musical career.
Life lessons are wrapped up in engaging tales within the music and tech businesses. Each chapter ends with a simple précis of key lessons in life and business that can be applied to everyday situations.
Backstage Pass will be available worldwide and in the UK through Amazon, Waterstones, Blackwell’s and usual outlets. It can be pre-ordered here.
